The new API Q1 standard does not refer to ISO 29001

The new and updated API Specification Q1 9th Edition was published June 2013. The new API QI standard does not refer to ISO 29001. Additionally on the ISO website, there is no updated ISO 29001 standard, either published or under development. This is curious.

Previously API Q1 8th Edition was also published as ISO/TS 29001:2007. To quote the ISO website, “the intention was to provide a single QMS document to meet the needs of the oil and gas industries worldwide, specifically the major petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas organizations, as well as government and regulatory agencies, It provided a basis for qualification of the QMS of equipment manufacturers and service suppliers. Potential end users include the following:
• Organizations involved in exploration, production, pipelines and transportation, and refining of petroleum and natural gas products
• Organizations involved in the design, manufacture, installation, service and repair of equipment used in the exploration, production, transportation and refining of petroleum and natural gas products
• Organizations that provide technical, operational and support services to the various industry sectors identified above.”

It has been suggested that the reason for the discontinuing of the API Q1 & ISO 29001 linkage was due to concerns over the ownership of intellectual property. It is interesting to note that

• API Q1 has been renumbered in a format that is different from both the previous 8th Edition and the new ISO index as listed under Annex SL. The new ISO index is being incorporated in new and updated Management Standards, like the ISO 27001: 2013 and the planned upgrade to ISO 9001 next year.

• API Q1 8th Edition and ISO 29001 were intended to cover the manufacturing and support services. However Q1 9th Edition is specifically for Manufacturing organisations. Support service organisations now can use the new API Specification Q2.